Pushing on with power

The proliferation of LiuGong machines both above and below ground in the Australian landscape has continued unabated, buoyed in recent times by a significant jump in sales, service, parts and finance support, plus the arrival of its electric machines.

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One of the latest sites where one of its bigger, 52-tonne excavators has been operating and making light work of the task has been a quarry on the northern outskirts of Melbourne.

The LiuGong E series 952E excavator is powered by a 349-horsepower Cummins QSM11 engine, turbocharged with high torque for demanding tasks.

It offers six working modes, including Power, Economy, Fine, Lifting, Breaker and Attachment, maximising fuel efficiency and making it easy for new operators.

High-flow hydraulic pumps (380 litres per minute) provide for faster cycle times and efficient power delivery for quick truck loading, digging and trenching.

The 952E features Intelligent Power Control (IPC), which optimises engine, hydraulic and electrical performance. The engine drops its RPM after one second of inactivity and further reduces it after three seconds to save fuel, while fan speed is adjusted based on engine and hydraulic oil temperature to improve efficiency. It can dig to about 6.5 metres with a bucket capacity of 3.2m³ and its heavyweight stability also ensures excellent durability and efficiency.

The undercarriage is always a strong focus for excavators and the reinforced, X-shaped frame with the LiuGong 952E digger comprises high-strength tensile steel and is designed to withstand extreme conditions.

The boom, arm and upper structure is also superior, with oversized pins for extended durability, while a reinforced H-beam design improves balance and stress distribution.

Machine operator Chris Dawson has been stripping overburden, loading dump trucks and undertaking general earthworks at the quarry north of Melbourne and has been impressed with the power and stability of the LiuGong 952E excavator.